The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted Kat Abughazaleh, a Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois, for allegedly obstructing vehicles during protests last month outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. Five other individuals were also charged with similar offenses.
Abughazaleh, who is running for Illinois’ 9th congressional district, stated in a public statement that the indictment represents a “political prosecution” targeting First Amendment rights. She claimed she would not “back down” and vowed to fight the charges. The indictment names five additional defendants: Catherine Sharp, Andre Martin, Brian Straw, Joselyn Walsh, and Michael Rabbitt.
The 11-page document alleges the six individuals surrounded a government vehicle near the Broadview facility on September 26, attempting to “hinder and impede” a federal agent from carrying out their duties. According to the indictment, they “banged aggressively” on the vehicle’s windows, crowded around it, pushed against it, and etched the word “PIG” onto its surface. A side mirror and rear windshield wiper were also damaged. The agent reportedly had to drive at an “extremely slow rate of speed” to avoid injuring protesters.
Abughazaleh is accused of bracing her body against the vehicle to block it, as described in the indictment. She has previously criticized ICE actions, stating that protesters faced violence, including being “hit, dragged, thrown, shot with pepper balls, and tear gassed” for opposing immigration enforcement. The case remains pending before U.S. District Judge April Perry, with arraignments yet to be scheduled.
